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Clinical Trial Summary

Streptococcus pyogenes, commonly referred to as Group A Streptococcus (GAS), has the ability to induce a diverse range of illnesses. In several European countries and the United States, a notable surge in invasive GAS (iGAS) infections has been documented since mid-2022. This sharp increase contrasts with the gradual rise in iGAS incidence observed among children over the past three decades. As demonstrated for several viral infections, the recent upturn in iGAS infections is potentially linked to the relaxation of mitigation measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as face mask usage and school closures. Since November 2022, concerns have been raised by French public health authorities regarding the rise in levels of iGAS infections, and an unexpected increase in pediatric severe GAS infections was reported in a French single-center study. However, this study ended in December 2022 and could only explore short-term trends. The Necker - Enfants malades Hospital in Paris, France, represents an excellent opportunity to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated non-pharmaceutical interventions on the incidence of severe GAS infections, during, and after the pandemic. This study aims to investigate trends of severe GAS infection incidence in children in the Paris area over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Clinical Trial Description

Streptococcus pyogenes, commonly referred to as Group A Streptococcus (GAS), has the ability to induce a diverse range of illnesses. In primary care, acute pharyngitis, commonly known as 'strep throat', is the predominant form of GAS infection. Other commonly encountered non-invasive GAS infections encompass impetigo, scarlet fever, perianal infections, and paronychia. GAS may also cause rarer yet severe conditions such as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, pneumonia with pleural empyema, and septic shock; most severe GAS infections can even be life-threatening. In several European countries and the United States, a notable surge in invasive GAS (iGAS) infections has been documented since mid-2022. This sharp increase contrasts with the gradual rise in iGAS incidence observed among children over the past three decades. As demonstrated for several viral infections, the recent upturn in iGAS infections is potentially linked to the relaxation of mitigation measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as face mask usage and school closures. Non-pharmaceutical interventions and behavioral changes during the COVID-19 pandemic modified the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and several respiratory pathogens, including GAS. Reduced exposure to endemic infectious agents may have created an immunity gap, leading to unexpected epidemics of viral and bacterial infections after non-pharmaceutical interventions were relaxed. Since November 2022, concerns have been raised by French public health authorities regarding the rise in levels of iGAS infections, and an unexpected increase in pediatric severe GAS infections was reported in a French single-center study. However, this study ended in December 2022 and could only explore short-term trends. The Necker - Enfants malades Hospital in Paris, France, represents an excellent opportunity to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated non-pharmaceutical interventions on the incidence of severe GAS infections, during, and after the pandemic. This tertiary care university hospital is located in a densely populated region and has various specialized departments involved in the management of severe infections, including pediatric intensive care units (PICU), orthopedics, pulmonology, otolaryngology, dermatology, infectious diseases, and microbiology. This study aims to investigate trends of severe GAS infection incidence in children in the Paris area over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT06297122
Study type Observational
Source Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
Contact Jérémie Cohen, M.D., PhD
Phone 1 44 49 48 72
Email jeremie.cohen2@aphp.fr
Status Not yet recruiting
Phase
Start date March 2024
Completion date June 2024

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT06058117 - Paediatric European Group A Streptococcal United Study.
Active, not recruiting NCT06126263 - Adjunctive Clindamycin Versus Linezolid for β-lactam Treated Patients With Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections
Active, not recruiting NCT03507101 - Invasive Disease Caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS) (DICAR)